Highlights from Department of Education’s Digest Of Education Statistics: 2012

Every year, the U.S. Department of Education releases their Digest of Education Statistics. The most recent release, Digest of Education Statistics: 2012, came out last month. These statistics reveal much about major trends in college enrollment, achievement, costs, and outcomes. Below are a list of highlights, key figures and a handful of helpful tables.

Highlights

College Enrollment

College enrollment was 21.0 million in fall 2011, slightly down from the record high in fall 2010.

“College enrollment is expected to set new records from fall 2012 through fall 2021.”

“The traditional college-age population rose 11 percent between 2001 and 2011, and total college enrollment increased 32 percent during the same period.”

“Between 2001 and 2011, the number of full-time students increased by 38 percent, compared with a 23 percent increase in part-time students.”

“During the same time period, the number of males enrolled increased 30 percent, while the number of females enrolled increased 33 percent.”

“Between 2000–01 and 2010–11 (the last year of actual data), the number of degrees conferred increased at all levels. The number of associate’s degrees was 63 percent higher in 2010–11 than in 2000–01, the number of bachelor’s degrees was 38 percent higher, the number of master’s degrees was 54 percent higher, and the number of doctor’s degrees was 37 percent higher.”

“Between 2000–01 and 2010–11, the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to males increased 38 percent, as did the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to females. Females earned 57 percent of all bachelor’s degrees in 2010–11, the same percentage as in 2000–01.”

“For the 2011–12 academic year, annual prices for undergraduate tuition, room, and board were estimated to be $14,292 at public institutions, $37,768 at private nonprofit institutions, and $23,330 at private for-profit institutions.”

“Between 2001–02 and 2011–12, prices for undergraduate tuition, room, and board at public institutions rose 40 percent, and prices at private nonprofit institutions rose 28 percent, after adjustment for inflation. Prices for total tuition, room, and board at private for-profit institutions were 2 percent lower in 2011–12 than in 2001–02.”

Educational Attainment

“The U.S. Census Bureau collects annual statistics on the educational attainment of the population… The percentage of young adults who had completed a bachelor’s degree increased from 29 percent in 2002 to 33 percent in 2012.”